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It was a Bates indeed (not mine :( ).
Cambridge section from Lode - Wicken Fen - Fordham - back to Lode.
N&V has the rides and contact details in them. I have only joined 3 months ago, the rides are a bit slow ;) but it is nice to chat about old steel and meet some knowledgeable lads.I hope the owner doesn't mind me sharing these pics. I kinda loved the setup with the Osgear and 5-speed indexed shifting.
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Not yet - I have picked it up a week ago, spent a good part of Saturday evening / night to get it ready for the ride. Came with gear(5-speed)/fixed BW hubs on special lightweight rims, non original derailleur, non original rear brake. It was the geared version of the Typhoon in the 50's - lower range Holdsworth, but still butted 531. Removed the rear caliper, 5-speed block and RD to use it as a fixed for now... Good fun.
Picture: the original owner from new, who ordered it as a 16-year old chap in 1953 from 132 Putney.
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it's that stuff that makes the vintage bikes for me
Absolutely - I started this recently, but now every time I find/buy a bike I try to make a picture with the previous owner. And try to find out when/where they got it, etc... Still amazed John had that bike for 63 years. He referred to it as "his baby, owned from new" :)
When he saw how happy I was with it, he went into the garage and returned with an old shoebox. "Some old tubes and rear axles. Maybe you can use it?"
Back home I found the original Cyclo Benelux 3-speed RD in an oily rag on the bottom of the box, some Villiers fixed sprockets, Renold and Coventry 1/8" chain for running it fixed, Brooks saddle rack, etc... Quite a useful box of bits and bobs :)
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Great isn't it! I've had several bikes like that and I've always passed all that on when they have been sold, in some way it's nice to add to the story.
Even the more modern bikes have great stories. I bought a Dawes Shadow from an older gent who told me it had changed his life when he bought it after a bad run. He was quite emotional, but glad to see it go to a good home, when I passed it on I made sure that story went with the bike.
My Elsegood's story is what makes it so special to me, especially as it was this forum that made the story, I'll never sell the blue Minster, especially as it's the frame I proposed on!
Maybe the kids will be telling a bright eyed young buyer about it one day :)
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I have recently completed a 1982 bike designed by its former owner and with which he won an Australian Veteran Road Championship. Bob's Vinco
Another 'Ace Special' was given to me recently by a friend, who has owned it since 1970. This 1950s Adelaide (Australia) built frame shows the artistry in the box-lining, scrolls and feathers rarely seen outside of Australia.
The third, is a 1952 EA Boult which has been ridden continuously since it was purchased by Dave in 1952. Dave is documenting the bike in his life, in England and tours in Europe, then out to Australia. He is also my consultant on the restoration of the frame.
I am still collecting parts for the Ace Special and the EA Boult.And I need to document the bike that started it for me, my fathers 1948 Spearman.
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Hopefully Alan will get in touch soon, I think he's on holiday at the moment though. He is keen to do something with all his dad's photos, medals and theories, when he gets around to it!
@BigBlock that Ace is amazing, great threads and write ups on all of the bikes too, I especially look forward to reading about the the Spearman.
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Pre 1950s rides of LFGSS: old bikes, vintage rats, classic lightweights
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@luckyskull
My keen eye picked out the name of the Jpeg as my mouse hovered over it :)
But the fork crown and ported bottom headtube lug look very very tasty.